Chapter 15
Damian’s POV
I untied the lace and pushed her to the bed. I made sure not to leave any mark on her wrist. She was lying while I lay above her, using my two hands to pin her down to the bed.
“Let this be the first and last time you will cross my path, Jade. I wouldn’t mind if we had something between us in the past. I’ll make sure you pay if anything bad happens to Valerie. Be careful. This is my last warning to you”
I released her hands and came down from the bed. I picked up my phone which I kept on the dresser earlier. I paused the recorder. I purposely decided to record our conversations which I plan to use as evidence.
Phew! Mission accomplished. I took my car keys and left the house quietly. I could hear her sobbing in the room.
“I’m sorry I had to resort to doing this but I had no other option.” I mutter sadly to myself as I closed the house door behind me.
When I got to the car, I dialed Valerie’s number but she didn’t pick up. I don’t know if she is still upset with me, but I just have to clear my name first.
I forwarded the recorded audio to her and decided to await her response. I remembered that I left Ethan and my other friends at the bar. I called Ethan but at first he didn’t pick until I called again.
“Hello, Ethan. I don’t think I’ll return to the bar. I have other things to take care of. I’ll see you some other time”
“Alright, Bro.” I hung up shortly and started driving home.
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Valerie’s POV
Claire went to work the next day, and so I was all alone at her place. Earlier on, I called my workers at the shop, just to get an update on how things have been going.
But right now, I’m bored. I was tired of watching movies so I checked my phone. Lo and behold, I had two missed calls from Damian.
“I think it’s high time I speak with him.” So, I dialed his number and of course, he picked.
“Hey, Val. It’s been quite a while. What’s up with you?”
“I’m fine, and you?”
Our exchange of pleasantries was awkward because it seemed as if our lips had nothing to say to ourselves but our hearts carried various messages.
“Actually, I was…
“I suggest we…
Our sentences clashed as we started talking at the same time. We giggled.
“Okay, you go first.” I said.
“I don’t really have much to say. I just want to meet with you. I believe we have quite a lot to discuss”
I was giddy with joy, but of course I had to hide it.
“Okay, when and where do you want us to meet?”
“Well, this is some minutes past Two o’clock Let’s meet at Kingston Hotels by 4 pm. I believe this is my second invitation to the place. You are familiar with the route to the hotel, right?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll figure it out. By the way, what is so special about the place?” I asked.
“I’ll explain when I see you.”
“Okay, bye.”
“Bye.”
****************
Valerie’s POV
After the call, I couldn’t hide my excitement. I leaped with joy because the love of my life wanted to see me again. I have to go and get dressed.
I opened my box and selected a very short black gown. It had tiny stones all over as a form of design which glistened in the dark. The gown was sleeveless and the back was open as well. I must look hot this evening.
Next, it was my footwear. I picked a silver glass lace-up heels and a silver handbag to correspond. I choose my ruby necklace and earrings. Perfect.
I filled the bath water with rose leaves and cherries. After which, I proceeded to have my bath.
By the time I had finished bathing, It was 3:35 pm. I applied my body lotion and proceeded to style my hair. I combed my long hair and tied it into a neat bun.
I got dressed, applied a little makeup with my perfume. Staring at the mirror for the last time before leaving the room, I was hundred percent sure that I’m looking adorable.
I boarded a cab which took me straight to the hotel.
When I got to the VIP suite in the hotel where I was supposed to meet Damian, he was sitting alone with a glass of drink in his hand. When he noticed my presence, I could sense his eyes sweeping all over my body. He smiled as he stood to get the chair for me. My face was flushed and my heart was giddy with joy.
“I’m glad you were able to make it.”
“Hope I didn’t keep you waiting for so long?” I asked.
“Not at all. You came at the right time. So, where have you been hiding? You are obviously not coming from your house.”
“I’m staying with my friend. It’s for a short while anyway.”
“It’s been a while since I last saw you. I’ve missed you. You are looking pretty, as always.” He said as his eyes lingered on my dress
“Oh, thank you. I’ve missed you too. So, how is everything going?”
“Not bad. I’m sorry for everything that happened. For what Jade said or did, for not explaining to you earlier on, for keeping a distance from you…”Damian started.
“Damian, you don’t have to apologize just yet. I’m also sorry for jumping into conclusion without confirming from you first. But I still need an explanation.” I said cutting in.
“Alright. Where do I start from?”
“First, who is Jade to you and how was she able to find me. Damian she came to my store. How she got to know about me is what I’m yet to figure out.”
“Jade is my ex-girlfriend. We were dating previously and we broke up earlier this year before she travelled to the United Kingdom.”
“Why?”
“She cheated on me and she acted like it was nothing. I felt so bad about it because I loved Jade so much that I even wished to get married to her. When I figured out se was cheating on me with one of her colleagues, she flared up and said I was being childish instead of apologizing.” Damian explained.
“I’m so sorry about that, Damian. Why did she travel to the United Kingdom?”
“Oh, she had a photoshoot. She is a model actually and I suppose she returned because she has finished with what she is doing.”
“How then do you think she found me? That is my major concern.”
“I’m not sure of that for now. But I promise to get to the root of this, Val. Sooner than later.” Damian reassured me as he took my hand in his and drew me in for a hug.
I snuggled up in his arms for a while before he remembered something.
“Speaking of which, I believe you have something else to explain to me. The night I was supposed to meet with you, at this same place, you promised to show up but you did not.”
“Uhmm…actually, I didn’t promise. I just saw your text but I never responded to it because I was still upset with you.” I answered with a slight frown.
“Valerie, you responded. It took you some to agree but eventually, you agreed to come and meet with me. I waited and waited for you at this same place but you didn’t show up.”
“Damian, I think you’ve got the wrong person because I don’t remember doing any of those things.”
“Okay, I’ll show you my phone as a proof.”
Everything Damian was trying to explain sounded strange to me. I was perplexed.
“Here, I texted you by 11 am and by 3pm you agreed to meet with me. The agreed time was 8 pm but you didn’t show up.”
He handed the phone to me and I scrolled from up to down, reading the messages I sent supposedly. Only that I don’t remember sending those messages.
“Damian, I…never texted you. I didn’t send any of those messages. Let me show you my phone.”
I brought out my phone and opened my chats with Damian. I simply saw deleted chats and it was the same day he is talking about.
“You deleted the texts?” Damian asked raising an eyebrow.
“No, I…did not. I didn’t text you. That whole day, I was in my house. I can’t remember planning to go out with anybody.”
“Then, I was texting a ghost?” He asked with a chuckle.
The whole scene that was unfolding before me, looked like a movie scene.